The
Prelude to
Dune
Trilogy
Bantam Books purchased the rights to a prequel trilogy to DUNE, written by Frank
Herbert's son Brian (an acclaimed science fiction novelist in his own right)
and internationally bestselling author, Kevin J. Anderson. These novels will
be based in part on Frank Herbert's unpublished notes as well as conversations
he had with his son.
Putnam, the original publisher of the DUNE series, had the option on the project;
they made a pre-emptive seven-figure bid for the trilogy, which Simon &
Schuster then topped, and Bantam topped that, with what is believed to be the
largest single science fiction contract in publishing history. Agents for the
deal were Robert Gottlieb and Matt Bialer of the William Morris Agency, and
Mary-Alice Kier of the Cine/Lit Agency.
The trilogy -- HOUSE ATREIDES, HOUSE HARKONNEN, and THE SPICE WAR -- is an immediate
prequel going back to the heart of DUNE's readership, to the core characters
and situations that made this the best-selling science fiction novel of all
time: The love story of Duke Leto and Lady Jessica, their first battles with
Baron Harkonnen, the planetologist Kynes sent to the desert world of Dune to
investigate the precious spice and the sandworms and the Fremen . . . and the
power-hungry Crown Prince Shaddam, who would do anything to secure the Imperial
throne.
The first novel, HOUSE ATREIDES, is completed and will be published in hardcover
in October 1999. Brian and Kevin are currently writing HOUSE HARKONNEN. We expect
the PRELUDE TO DUNE Trilogy to reach a worldwide audience, read by DUNE fans
everywhere. To date, the prequel trilogy has been accepted for British publication
by Hodder & Stoughton (with HOUSE ATREIDES due to be released in September
1999). French publication will be by Editions Laffont, Italian publication by
Mondadori, and abridged audio cassette (simultaneous with U.S. hardcover release)
by Bantam Doubleday Dell. Unabridged audio versions of all three books will
be released by Books on Tape. (Books on Tape also has unabridged editions of
DUNE, DUNE MESSIAH, and CHILDREN OF DUNE available.)
We will continue to report new international sales and news as we receive
word.